Kevin leans his head toward me, puts his lips near my ear, and in a low but deadly serious voice, he says, "You do not fuck around with me, Catherine. You can either walk away intact or in pieces. Your choice. But I seriously suggest you forget about that will."
He pulls his head back so he can look down at me, his eyes flicking back and forth to see if what he's said has sank in. I don't respond, but I don't break eye contact either, gritting my teeth together in anger and some fear.
"I can see you understand me," he says confidently, releasing his hold. I take two stumbling steps back.
Kevin merely tucks his hands into the lightweight jacket he's wearing and says, "I'll make these two offers, and then I'm done with you. I'll give you five thousand in cash and you move on with your life. Stay away from my brother and me. Or move back into the Jackson house--I'll give you a monthly allowance and you'll be at my beck and call when I come to visit."
Straightening up to my full five-foot-seven--thank you, Fendi--I stiffen my spine and lock my knees in figurative battle. I forget about the fact that not only does Kevin disgust me, but he also slightly scares me too. But I don't get caught up in that. Instead, I tell him with as much sarcasm as I can muster, "As tempting as those two offers are, I'm going to decline."
Kevin's eyes harden, his lids lowering until I see just tiny slits of brown irises peeking out at me. He inclines his head at me in acknowledgment of my position and says in what can only be taken as a clear threat, "So be it. But don't say you weren't warned."
He takes away my ability to walk away from him, making a casual turn on the sidewalk and meandering off in a carefree saunter. I can tell by the set to his shoulders and the almost jaunty step that he's not worried about me at all.
But he should be.
Because I just learned something very important.
There is no new will where Samuel cuts me out. If there were, Kevin would have offered up the signed copy to me without hesitation. Instead, he tried to buy me off, relying on his faulty instinct that I am still a woman who can be owned.
It's a mistake to underestimate me, and I know exactly what I need to do.
Chapter 11
Rand
"I can't believe we essentially live in the same house and I only get to see you when you have a few minutes to pop into my place of business," Jake says as he walks into the back breakroom of his ski shop.
I've been here for almost two hours waiting for Cat to finish up her job hunting visits, shooting the shit with some of Jake's employees or other locals who stop by for some sporting equipment needs. Although his shop is named Teton Ski and Snowboarding, it's actually morphed over time into a sort of one-stop shop for all of your Wyoming outdoor needs. He runs guided fishing trips in the summer, hunting trips in the fall and winter for big game such as elk and moose, as well as black bear in the spring. He even has guides who will just drive you around and show you where you can see all the wildlife. Jake sells everything from skis to guns to fishing lures to sporting apparel, and he's been quite successful at it.
I don't respond directly but throw a teasing jab while looking at my watch. "Must be nice to have a job you can roll in at close to lunch time. Wish I had as easy a life as you."
Jake laughs. As well he should, because he's one of the hardest-working men I know, and he knows I'm joking. He's normally in the shop at least an hour before it opens, and while he may go home so he can have dinner with his family, I know he works in the evenings too to stay on top of things.
"Lorelei had an ultrasound this morning," he explains as he walks over to the coffee pot on the counter and pours himself a cup.
"And how is the little niblet?" I ask, leaning back in my chair so the front legs come off the ground a bit.
"Looking like a chip off the old block," he says before taking a chair at the table opposite of me. "He's got the look of a snowboarder for sure."
"It could be a girl," I point out since it's still too early for the ultrasound to show that.
"Nope. Gonna be a snowboarding boy. Amber's going to be the skier."
I laugh and shake my head, but, secretly, I'm a little envious of him. Beautiful wife, gorgeous kid with another on the way, and leading a spectacularly full life. Once I figure out what I want to do with my own, I'm hoping things shake out for me like they have for Jake.
"So what's up with you?" Jake asks. "Jimmy said you've been here a while."
Jimmy is one of his employees who is manning the store today. He also doubles as a fishing guide, but the trip he had set this morning got cancelled. It rained like hell last night and the rivers are too muddied to make it worthwhile.
"Just waiting for a friend who is doing some errands around town; thought we'd go get some lunch after she's done."
"She?" Jake asks, an eyebrow cocked and with a quick lick to his lips.
"Yes, a she," I affirm. "I've been known to like the opposite sex, you know."
It's no wonder Jake has a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to me making any type of plans that sound like a date with a woman. He's the one person who knows firsthand how turbulent my relationship was with Tarryn. He also knows that when it ended, I sort of swore off relationships for a while. While he has no clue about The Silo and what I do there, he's also observed me for the past four years and hasn't seen me date anyone. I've been to dinner at their table, gone out with him and Lorelei on many a weekend, but they've never seen me with a date.
And why would I?
Even though I truly understand what happened to our relationship, Tarryn left me a little jaded by her infidelity. Besides, there was no shortage of tourists and locals to fuck once I settled here in Jackson. Once The Silo opened, that pretty much sealed my fate as a bachelor because I could get off whenever I wanted with no-strings attached. It's not that I'm opposed to the strings, but it's just easier when they're not involved.
"This is monumental, dude," he says with a grin. "It's about time you started dating again."
"We're friends," I correct him. "She's down on her luck and crashing at my place for a few days."
Friends who are fucking though.
"Friends my ass," he says without any qualms of dismissing my motives so quickly. "So when do Lorelei and I get to meet her? How about dinner this weekend?"
"Maybe," I say, not bothering to try to assert that this is a friends-only deal. He's not buying it. Not because he has any great insight into me, but because he doesn't want to. Jake's always been a romantic at heart, and he wants everyone to fall in love, get married, and pop out kids. "She's going to come here after she's done dropping resumes off, so you can meet her then."
"She's job hunting?" he asks before taking a sip of his coffee.
"Yeah, you hiring?"
"Not right now, but I will be in about two weeks to gear up for the start of hunting season. I'll need some extra help to keep track of all the expeditions and guides."
"How many are you up to now?" I ask curiously. Jake has never hunted or fished in his life that I know of, but he's become quite successful at gathering knowledgeable guides who flock to this area during peak tourist season to pick up work.
"I've got eleven," he says nonchalantly. "Seven returning from last year and four new that I'm hiring."
"Jesus," I say with a teasing grin. "Do you even bother with the snow sporting world anymore?"
"Still my one true love," he answers before pushing his chair back and standing up. "And I need to get to it as I have a shitload of stuff to do today. I'm already a few hours behind."
"Sure, man," I say, standing up as well and not wanting to hold him up... too much. But I have to ask, "Listen, this friend of mine... her name's Cat, and she's really in a tough spot. If you hear of any job openings, let me know, okay?"
"You know I will," he reassures. "But you know it's tough around here. Everyone wants to live and work in this area."
And that's the fucking truth. I've been all over the world and much of the United States, an
d there isn't much that's comparable to this area in the way of scenery and activities. Throw in the grandeur of Yellowstone just north of us, and the competition for work is stiff.
Movement over Jake's shoulder and beyond the open doorway of the breakroom catches my attention. I see Cat walking toward us. I'll admit that my tongue was hanging out of my head this morning when she came out of the bedroom wearing a slim-fitted skirt that came just down to her knees but with a slit up the side that showed just a tiny peek of her lower thigh when she walked in her high heels. It wasn't enough to be overtly sexy, but it was enough to get a man's attention and for him to wonder what else was up there. Luckily, I knew the answer to that question.
I smile at her, and she says hesitantly, "The guy up front said you were back here and that I could come on back."
Jake turns to the sound of her voice. Because he's a genuinely friendly guy and an extrovert on steroids, he sticks his hand out and says, "You must be Cat?"
She enters the breakroom and takes his hand, shooting me a quick smile before looking back to him. "And you must be Jake. I've heard a lot about you."
"And I haven't heard nearly enough about you," he says as he gives a quick shake and releases her hand. "But unfortunately I've got to get to work. So I demanded that your man set up a double date with me and my wife, Lorelei."
Cat's eyes cut to mine. While she doesn't need to say a word, I can read the look. It says, He doesn't know we're just fucking?
I shoot her back a look that says, It's more than just fucking and you know it.
She smirks at me before turning back to Jake. "That sounds like fun. We should do it soon."
And just like that, it looks like I might be having my first real date in well... for fucking ever. There's never been anyone other than Tarryn and shit... we were still kids when we started seeing each other. Dates back then consisted of making out in the school library or grabbing an ice cream in town. Once we got older and life got busy, dates were an uncommon occurrence.
"Sounds awesome," Jake says. He turns to look at me with a pointed look that says, Let's do this sooner rather than later before you chase her off. Turning sideways, he slides past Cat while saying, "Nice to meet you."
"You too," she murmurs and then turns back to me. "Sorry that took so long."
"No worries," I assure her. "You hit all the places you wanted to?"
A slightly uneasy look crosses her face, but she nods. "Yeah... now it's a wait and see."
"What happened?" I ask bluntly. I can tell something happened in the last two hours that has her a bit rattled.
"What do you mean?" she asks, those large, brown eyes blinking at me in faux innocence. I don't buy it for a second.
"Come on, Cat," I say softly as I step into her. She looks up at me with her lower lip tucked in between her teeth, and Christ... that's sexy, but I move past that thought. "You've already told me enough of your dirty laundry that you obviously trust me to some extent. Tell me what's got that beautiful face filled with trouble."
That lip pops free as she gives a resigned sigh, her eyes lowering briefly as she takes in a breath and then looks back up at me. "I ran into Kevin on the street."
For a moment, I don't comprehend who that is, but then it hits me hard and my protective instincts arise. Reaching out, I take her by the upper arm and pull her a little closer. "Did he hurt you? Are you okay?"
She nods quickly. "Yeah... I mean, he was a creep as always, and he threatened me, but I think--"
"He fucking threatened you?" I snarl, and she jerks in surprise over the deadly tone in my voice.
"Not to fuck with him," she says timidly. "To forget about the will."
"You two discussed the will?"
"Among other things," she says as she steps backward and pulls her arm slightly to get me to release it. I'm not sure if she's seeking distance because I just scared her or she doesn't appreciate the caveman mentality, but I let it go for now. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest.
"Okay, how about tell me everything start to finish?" I command.
"It was short... we literally bumped into each other on the street. Well, actually, I think he ran into me on purpose to get my attention, but no matter. Anyway, I told him wanted a copy of the signed will and he wasn't happy about that. But then he propositioned me--"
I curse under my breath and that stops Cat's dialogue. She looks at me in question, and I wave an impatient hand at her. "Sorry... go on."
"He said I could move back into the Jackson house, but I told him I wouldn't let his needle dick anywhere near me. Then he told me not to fuck with him, reiterated the Jackson house offer, which was essentially to be his side piece, or I could take five thousand in cash and go away."
"Did he touch you?" I ask through a locked jaw and gritted teeth.
She knows by the tone of my voice that her answer could be perilous, so she stiffens her spine and simply says, "Yes. He grabbed me and pulled me into an embrace just before he threatened me. But we were on a public sidewalk and he wasn't about to make a scene. When I pulled away, he let me go."
Blazing fury fills me as I think about that asshole taking advantage of Cat's body because he believed his dad owned her, and now trying to do so again. The thought he could think to take what I was fast starting to think of as mine pissed me off. That he would even think about trying to touch her again makes me furious, especially when he essentially forced himself on her before. She may not have fought him, but he damn well knew she didn't want her husband gifting her to his son whenever he felt the need arise.
"Something good came of that meeting though," she says quickly.
My eyes focus in on her, leaving my other thoughts about murdering Kevin behind. "What's that?"
"I know damn well that will leaving me nothing wasn't executed. Otherwise, he would have never threatened me or tried to pay me off. He was wigged out when I told him I wanted to see the signed copy."
"So what... you think the original will is still in Vegas?" I ask.
"I do," she confirms. "And I'm leaving tomorrow to find out if I'm right."
"What?" I ask in stunned disbelief.
She's leaving?
Maybe not coming back?
"I'm going to drive back to Vegas," she says with a gleam in her eye. She gives a pat to her purse. "I was able to pawn all my jewelry, so I have some money to help me get by. I'm getting into that house and Samuel's office, and I'm not leaving until I know the truth."
"You pawned your jewelry?" I ask in disbelief. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I need the money, Rand," she says with a little irritation in her voice. "I can't just live off you, you know. And I can't sit back and let that dickhead take advantage of me anymore."
I hate she has to make these tough choices, and I can't stand the thought of her being so desperate she pawned her jewelry, but I can understand her reasoning to do just that. Cat's done with taking a backseat to her life. She let Samuel dictate everything and now that he's gone, her backbone is starting to shore up.
"You should have at least tried to sell the jewelry to some reputable jewelry stores," I grumble.
"I did try," she says. "No one was interested, so I had no choice."
"Well, at least if you're owed some of Samuel's estate, you can get it all back," I concede.
Cat gives an unladylike snort and shakes her head. "I don't want that jewelry. It means nothing to me. I don't want anything reminding me of that man and what he did to me."
I smile in understanding and take a step back into her. Putting my arm around her waist, I pull her in and give her a kiss to her forehead. "Okay, I get it. You're ready to charge into battle and nothing's holding you back."
She responds by wrapping both arms around my waist, her purse squished in between us. Squeezing me, she says, "That's right."
"You coming back?" I ask, bracing myself for the possibility that tonight might be the last time I ever see Cat again.
"I'm... well, I'm not sur
e," she says quietly with her cheek still pressed to my chest, and that's a better answer than I actually expected. Vegas is Cat's hometown. She can get a job there quickly, I'd imagine. Nothing here to pull her back this way.
"So what time do we leave tomorrow?" I ask, throwing caution to the wind and then locking my arm tight as I expect her to pull away.
She jerks slightly but merely tilts her head back to look at me. "You want to go with me to Vegas?"
"Fuck if I'm going to let you ride off into battle alone," I tell her with a charming grin. "I'm a white knight after all. Besides, I don't trust Kevin or Richard. If for some reason they're there, I don't want you handling them on your own."
"But your work," she points out.
"Pish won't care," I tell her confidently. But he'll so care. He'll be pissed because he'll have to get his ass up now and open the shop. He works late hours, preferring to do his inking at night, but I can't worry about him right now. This is more important--although why, I'm not quite sure. But I've decided to follow my gut, and if I lose my job, so be it. I don't need the money as my earlier sponsorship deals have left me financially secure. "Now how about we go grab some lunch and we can plan what we need to do?"
"No... I can't let you do that. I can't disrupt your life like that. This may be nothing more than a fool's errand."
Fool's errand.
Funny.
Am I a fool for getting involved like this? Am I just entranced by what an amazing fuck she is or is there something more with this woman?
"I'm going and that's the end of it," I tell her firmly, but then I try to emphasize that this truly isn't a big deal. "And you're not disrupting me. I wouldn't have offered if it did, okay?"
"Rand... it's too much--"
"Cat... I'm going so just accept it. It'll be a fun road trip. We can buy sugary soda and sour gummy worms to eat on the way, sing bad 80's songs at the top of our lungs. It'll be awesome."
I then give her my best and most charming smile.
The indecision and doubt on her face melts away, and she gives me a girlish laugh with a pat to my chest before releasing me. "Okay, fine. You can go."